Announcements:

• This year's audited financial statements were distributed to all members in attendance.
• Rob Dunseith announced that there would be a Past-President's meeting immediately after the regular meeting.
• Bob Lamourex reminded everyone of the upcoming club Christmas Party on Friday, December 13th at the Royal Glenora Club with cocktails beginning at 6pm and dinner beginning at 7pm.  The signup sheet was circulated.
• Bob also explained to all the 'Fellowship Dinner' program, where club members get to know each other better by hosting and sharing meals in each others homes.  Anyone who is interested in joining the program should talk to Bob Lamoureux.

50-50 Draw

Brad Arsenault and Dan Graham did not match playing cards and therefore did not share the $104 pot.

Finemaster: 

In reminding all that January is 'Rotary Awareness Month", finemaster Joe Lisotte quickly raised $54 in fines based on Rotary history trivia.

Greetings from India:

N.K. Thushu provided greetings from his home club in Distric 3206 in Central India and gave a short background of himself and his involvement in Rotary.

Presentation:

Raj Sran introduced the guest speaker Evaa Bostrand who was supported by Susan Cribs from the "Sing for Life" Foundation.

Evaa explained that the spark to what she is currently doing came from her mother watching a documentary in Sweden about a homeless choir and challenging her to do the same.

She explained many of the benefits of choir involvement, including but not limited to; Aerobic activity, respiratory exercise and control, less tension, brain exercises, memory improvement and of course the emotional well being that is attained by singing.  She congratulated the Rotary for welcoming visitors through song and the science behind why this is good and creates a brotherhood between us.

She gave a narative of her history in working with the Edmonton Women's Institution and having the women sign in jail and what it has done for many on the inmates, such as providing a safe environment for the members, teaching trust in authority, developing positive relationships and providing a transferable skill.

This is done through choir practices, workshops and internal and external performances.

'Sing for Life' has now expanded their programs by working through a successful pilot program to work with 'at-risk' men in the downtown area, and based out of the Stanley Milner Library.  So her story has come to fulfil her mother's vision of starting a homeless choir.

Evaa was thank by Mike Henry on behalf of the club.

Chair Rob Dunseith then adjourned the meeting.